Department of Defense's Waiver of Competitive Prototyping Requirement for Enhanced Polar System Program
Abstract
The Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009, as amended (WSARA), requires that the acquisition strategy for each major defense acquisition program provides for competitive prototypes before Milestone B approval which authorizes entry into system development unless the Milestone Decision Authority waives the requirement. Competitive prototyping, which involves commercial, government, or academic sources producing early prototypes of weapon systems or critical subsystems, can help Department of Defense (DOD) programs reduce technical risk, refine requirements, validate designs and cost estimates, and evaluate manufacturing processes prior to making major commitments of resources. WSARA states that the Milestone Decision Authority may waive the competitive prototyping requirement only on the basis that (1) the cost of producing competitive prototypes exceeds the expected life-cycle benefits (in constant dollars) of producing such prototypes, including the benefits of improved performance and increased technological and design maturity that may be achieved through competitive prototyping; or (2) but for such a waiver, DOD would be unable to meet critical national security objectives. WSARA also directed us to review and assess DOD s rationale for competitive prototyping waivers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 23, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA566154
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office